What is Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia is a common refractive error of the eye that makes it difficult to focus on far away objects. People who are nearsighted will see objects close to them clearly, while those further away appear blurry.

Myopia is natural

An overall longer shape of the eye usually causes myopia, so it is a naturally occurring visual problem that cannot be prevented. Nearsightedness tends to run in families, but you don't need to have a myopic parent to develop it. Myopia begins at an early age and worsens in the teenage years, but generally stabilizes in adulthood.

What Is Myopia (Nearsightedness)?​Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the gradual or rapid decline of your eyes’ ability to focus on far away objects. People who are nearsighted will usually see objects close to them clearly, while objects further away appear blurry. If you have to sit closer to the TV set or movie screen than you used to or find yourself squinting a lot, you may be experiencing myopia.​

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Myopia and Your Eye

Myopia is a common eye disorder, not an eye disease. It’s a refractive error, which means that the eye does not bend (refract) light properly to a single focus point to see images clearly. With normal vision, an image is sharply focused onto the retina at the back of your eye. When you are nearsighted, or myopic, the point of focus falls short of the retina, allowing you to see near objects more clearly, but distant objects will appear blurred.

Are You Experiencing Symptoms of Myopia (Nearsightedness)?

It is common for teachers to be the first to notice the symptoms of myopia in young children during class or an eye screening at school. This is why nearsightedness is typically diagnosed sometime between the early school years and the teens.Here are the most common signs and symptoms of myopia:

Need to sit closer to the television, movie screen or the front of the classroom

Holding books very close while reading

Not able to notice distant objects

Blinking excessively

Rubbing eyes frequently

If these symptoms interfere with daily activities and are pronounced enough that you or your child can't perform a task, consult an eye care professional. He or she can determine the degree of nearsightedness and recommend ways to correct the vision.

Who Develops Myopia (Nearsightedness)?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common condition affecting almost 30 percent of Americans.1 Both children and adults can be nearsighted, but myopia is normally first diagnosed in school-aged children. Nearsightedness tends to advance in the teens, as the eye continues to grow during this time. The condition levels off and generally stabilizes in adulthood.

Causes of Myopia

Nearsightedness happens when your eye is longer than normal, or, less often, when your cornea is too curved. It’s a problem in the focusing mechanism of the eyes. However, the exact cause of myopia is not known.Research about myopia supports two key risk factors:

Family history. If one or both parents are nearsighted, the chance of their children developing it increases.

Working up close. Myopia may be helped along by how a person uses their eyes. Intense detail work, long hours in front of a computer or reading can also increase the chances of developing myopia.

Temporary nearsightedness can also occur due to visual stress and disease:

“Night” Myopia: Some people experience blurred distance vision only at night. When it’s dark, the eye may simply not be receiving enough light to focus, or too much light from the sides may be entering the naturally dilated eye, making it hard to focus.

“False” Myopia: Some people cannot focus far after long periods of near vision tasks. Usually the focusing ability of the eye will return after some rest, but this constant stress may lead to some permanent distance vision issues.

Myopia symptoms could also be a sign of variations in blood sugar levels in people with diabetes or an early indication of a cataract.

Our eye care professional can evaluate your eyes to determine the reason and severity of your myopia.

High Myopia

​Many children who get more nearsighted year after year may end up with high myopia as an adult. A person with very high myopia may even be unable to see the big "E" on an eye chart without corrective lenses.People with high myopia are at greater risk for cataracts, a detached retina or other serious eye problems. Some could be too nearsighted to be good candidates for Lasik and other laser vision correction surgery.

Diagnosing Myopia

An early myopia diagnosis in children is important, as it can affect their success in school, both educationally and socially.An eye care professional can diagnose myopia after a comprehensive eye exam. A standard vision test will be used, where the person is asked to read letters on a chart placed at the other end of the room.If the distance vision test determines nearsightedness, the eye care professional will use various devices to learn about the state of the eye, what is causing the myopia and the best way to correct it:

An ophthalmoscope is a magnifying glass with a light at the end used to look into the eye. Eye drops are often given to enlarge (dilate) the pupils so the eye care professional can have a better view of the back of the eye.

A retinoscope shines a special light into the eyes to see how light reflects off the retina. As the light is reflected back from inside the eye, it can indicate whether a person is nearsighted, farsighted, or has astigmatism.

A phoropter measures the amount of refractive error you have to determine the proper prescription for corrective eyewear and contact lenses.

​How Will Myopia (Nearsightedness) Affect My Lifestyle?

Regardless of age, not being able to see objects or images at a distance can affect your daily life.Without proper vision correction, a child can struggle at school when he or she cannot see the chalkboard or engage in some school activities. Adults can fail to see road signs while driving, which is a safety concern. Myopia can also prevent individuals from fully enjoying a performance, a sport or the outdoors. Early on, individuals who are nearsighted should have their eyes examined regularly to ensure that their prescription strength remains accurate.Depending on the amount of myopia, some people may need to wear corrective lenses only for certain activities. Others may need to wear them most of the time. Either way, learning to properly wear contact lenses or getting used to glasses takes some adjustment. Fortunately, there are many options to choose from depending on lifestyle and budget. Once nearsightedness is corrected, it generally won’t affect your daily life significantly. For information about contact lens options speak to our Doctor.After the eye stops changing, eye surgery such as LASIK may be a good alternative to correct myopia.How To Help Children Live with Myopia

Don’t say the child has “bad eyes;” instead, tell him his eyes just bend light differently and corrective lenses are needed to help focus light rays.

Use simple illustrations to help them understand how a differently sized eye results in nearsightedness.

Consider contact lenses as an option, depending on their age.

Don’t restrict their activities because of poor vision.

Engage them in discussions about their eyesight.

Encourage them to verbalize concerns about the adjustment to rapidly changing vision.

Treatment Options for Myopia (Nearsightedness)

When treating myopia, the goal is to help your eyes focus on far away objects. The most common way to achieve this is through corrective glasses and contact lenses. Eye surgery, such as LASIK, is available for adults and those with moderate to high levels of nearsightedness. Adults who have developed cataracts may also have their myopia corrected with an intraocular lens (IOL) that replaces the human lens during cataract surgery. The most appropriate treatment depends on your eyes and your lifestyle.

Myopia:

Contacts and Glasses Eyeglasses and contact lenses can correct myopia. However, they cannot stop the eye from growing longer or cure the irregular curve of the cornea that causes your blurry vision.Myopia: Surgery

Surgery can decrease or eliminate dependency on eyeglasses and contact lenses. LASIK surgery is the most common type of surgery to correct myopia. In adults with cataracts, nearsightedness can also be corrected as part of the cataract surgery procedure.

Will Insurance Pay to Diagnose and Treat Myopia?

Regular eye exams most often include tests that identify nearsightedness, so it generally will not cost extra to be diagnosed. If your insurance plan includes vision benefits, it may pay for most or all of your annual regular eye exams. In addition, most plans provide a discount for prescription eyeglasses and contacts. This is often a set payment toward one pair of glasses or your annual contact lens supply for a year. The discount/payment can vary. Extras and premium features such as tinted lenses, prescription sunglasses and colored contacts, are not typically covered by standard vision plans. You may have to pay for these out of your pocket.

Generally, the cost of surgery to correct nearsightedness is not covered by insurance because it is viewed as an elective surgery. However, some plans may provide partial coverage when:

Myopia was a result of another surgery.

Myopia is very severe. There are no standard guidelines in this area so coverage can vary.

​Check to see if your plan provides benefits. Even if no insurance is available, eye surgeons who specialize in these advanced procedures can often offer payment plans that you can take advantage of.

Cataract surgery

that also corrects myopia is covered by Medicare and most private plans. However, depending on the lens chosen or if you have surgery earlier than the guidelines allow, you may have to pay some additional out-of-pocket costs and charges.

Myopia (Nearsightedness) and Your Prescription

After diagnosis, your eye care professional may discuss options for contact lenses and eyeglasses. Both are available in three types:

A single lens with a prescription for each eye that results in clear vision at all distances.

Astigmatic lenses that correct both myopia and astigmatism.

Multifocal and progressive lenses that provide different prescriptions across the lens for clarity at various distances. People over 40, and those adults who do intensive close-up work, are more likely to benefit from this type.

People who are nearsighted should receive regular eye exams to ensure their prescription remains accurate, especially in the teenage years when myopia worsens and prescriptions change frequently.In a myopia prescription, the first number will be preceded by a minus sign (–). The higher the number, the more severe the myopia. This applies to both eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions.

Myopia and Contact Lenses

Some people prefer contact lenses to glasses because they may offer better vision and a wider field of view, and are more convenient and practical for use in sports and other activities. Since they are worn directly on the eyes, contacts lens wearers must follow the prescribed wearing and replacement regimen and care of their lenses to keep their eyes healthy.Contact lenses are either soft or hard, and can be made from a variety of materials. Disposable soft contact lenses are the most popular, and are available for daily or extended wear. Your eye care professional can explain the pros and cons of each.

Bifocal and Multifocal Contacts

Bifocal contact lenses have two prescriptions in the same lens (similar to bifocal eyeglasses). Multifocal contact lenses have a range of powers in each lens. This range of power allows clear vision at all distances–near, intermediate and far. Today, technology offers wearers a large selection of lenses that successfully correct multiple vision problems, while still providing the convenience and appearance of contacts.

How Much Will Contacts for Myopia Cost?

The cost of contact lenses varies by brand and the type of lens you choose. Typically, bifocals and multifocals take longer to fit than regular contacts. Other factors affecting your yearly costs are how frequently contacts will need to be replaced, the wear schedule and the care for non-daily disposable lenses. You are advised to compare and check your plan options.

Glasses and Myopia

Eyeglasses are the first choice of many for myopia correction. Easy to wear, they’re available in so many frame styles, colors and materials that everyone, from children to adults, can find the right fit. Eyeglasses are available with single vision lenses, or bifocal and multifocal lenses to correct multiple conditions.

Bifocal and Trifocal Lenses

Glasses with bifocal lenses have two prescription strengths and focus points—one on the bottom half of the lens for reading and other close-up tasks, and another on the top half for seeing at a distance. Trifocal lenses have three different prescriptions and focus points for near, intermediate and distance vision.

Progressive LensesEyeglasses with progressive lenses have exploded in popularity and selection for those who need to correct their myopia, but also need reading glasses due to the normal aging of the eye, or presbyopia . Progressives are similar to bifocals and trifocals, but offer a more gradual transition between the various prescription powers, eliminating the visible dividing lines.

Some glasses have progressive lenses with a wider intermediate vision zone made especially for computer use. Others may have a larger reading zone. Your vision needs and daily routines will be key in selecting adequate progressives.

How Much Will Glasses for Myopia Cost?

The costs for myopia-correcting eyeglasses vary greatly depending on your needs and any add-ons you may choose. Most health insurance plans provide a discount for prescription eyeglasses. However, designer frames, specialty lenses, and add-ons like protective coatings typically cost more than regular glasses, and may not be covered. Annual eye exams will ensure that your glasses are the most accurate prescription possible.

Correcting Myopia (Nearsightedness) with Surgery​People who are nearsighted may correct their myopia more permanently with various eye surgeries. LASIK, an advanced laser surgery, improves your eye’s focusing ability by reshaping the cornea.Today, if you have myopia and develop cataracts, your doctor will talk to you about different options available to correct not only your cataracts, but your myopia as well, when you undergo cataract surgery.Your eye care professional can provide in-depth information and help determine what’s appropriate for you depending on your age, any other eye conditions you may have and other factors. All eye surgeries have some risks, so if you’re ready to reduce your dependency on contacts or glasses, it is important to balance the benefits with the potential complications.

LASIK for Myopia

LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileus is, is the most widely performed laser vision correction surgery. With LASIK, a surgeon cuts a flap to reach the inner part of your cornea then uses a laser to remove a small amount of tissue from the cornea to give it a different shape and correct the focusing error. In most cases, laser eye surgery is associated with only mild discomfort and takes less than 15 minutes for both eyes. It only requires anesthetic eye drops, and no bandages or stitches.The most common risks of LASIK surgery include dry eye syndrome; the possible need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery; visual symptoms including halos, glare, starbursts, and double vision; and loss of vision. A small percentage of patients may need a "touch up" procedure in order to achieve maximum vision improvement.

Cataract Surgery and Myopia

Cataracts are a natural part of aging, and typically begin to develop around your mid-to-late 40s. In cataract surgery, artificial IOLs are placed inside your eye to correct your vision. These contact-like lenses typically replace a natural lens that has clouded due to a progressive condition known as cataractsIf you are nearsighted and have cataracts, cataract surgery may be a good option because you will receive an intraocular lens that also corrects myopia. Other conditions, such as astigmatism or presbyopia , may be treated by cataract surgery, as well. Your eye care professional can help you decide which IOL will suit you best.

Finding a Doctor to Treat Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Start with Your Regular Eye Care Professional Whether you normally see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, it is important to have regular eye checkups. If you have been diagnosed with a vision-related condition, the American Optometric Association recommends annual visits to an eye care professional. Even if you have no prior history of vision problems, getting an eye exam every two years is recommended.

If You Need Surgery

LASIK is generally an “ambulatory” procedure, meaning the surgery is conducted in an outpatient facility such as a surgery center. Do your research on the different variations of these surgeries and the technology now available to make sure you understand the risks and the experience of the surgeon you select.

How to Find an Eye Care Professional

There are many ways to find an eye care professional. You can start by asking your regular physician for a referral or recommendations from friends. You can also look up eye care professionals online to see how long they have been practicing, where they trained, and even how other patients rate them.

Diagnosing Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Optometrists or ophthalmologists can diagnose myopia during a basic eye exam.

During the exam, your eye care professional will inspect the inside of your eye using a magnifying instrument called an ophthalmoscope. Your eye care professional may use eye drops that dilate pupils to make it easier to see the back of the eye. You may also take a vision test that measures your distance and up-close vision.

The first signs of myopia usually appear in early childhood. Your eye care professional will recommend follow-up exams based on the results and your family history.

Choose Treatment

Glasses or Contact Lenses

Eyeglasses are the simplest choice for correcting myopia, while some prefer contact lenses for their appearance and their active lifestyles. Both glasses and contacts are available in a wide variety of materials and designs. It is important to consider the wear schedules and lens care instructions when choosing to go with contacts.

Multifocal Glasses or Contact Lenses

Bifocal and trifocal lenses have various prescription strengths and focus points for close, middle or distance vision. Consider your needs carefully, including the popular progressive eyeglasses with no lines between prescriptions.

LASIK

LASIK is the most popular myopia-correcting surgery. With LASIK, the surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea to focus on distant objects.As you age with myopia and cataracts develop, cataract surgery is the only way to treat a cataract. These days, cataract surgery typically corrects both conditions by removing your own clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) that contains your prescription.Your age, the state of your eyes, and other factors will help determine which surgical method is best for you.

Preparing for Surgery

If you decide to have surgery, you will need to be tested and evaluated prior to the procedure. Tests will likely include measuring eye pressure, pupil dilation, refraction and corneal thickness. The surgeon will also evaluate your medical history to make sure you are an ideal candidate.Before your evaluation, you may need to temporarily stop wearing your contacts. This allows your eyes to return to their normal shape so they can be accurately measured. You will also have to stop wearing them before the surgery.Your surgeon will provide you with specific details ahead of time about what to expect before, during and after the procedure, and will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Life After Surgery

Most people report improved vision as soon as the day after LASIK surgery, and your vision should continue to get better as your eyes heal. The speed at which you normally heal may affect your results.